The Granite Mountain FFA Chapter in Utah used a Living to Serve: Environmental Grant from the National FFA Organization to install bee hives at their urban setting. Chapter members will study the health of the bees and the quality of their honey. FFA advisor Kristina Gowans and FFA members Katya Wahl and Kennedy Dalley share some of their experiences setting up the hives and working with bees.

This segment aired on the July 23, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

It has been quite a year for two Washington state FFA members. Both Alyssa McGee (Sumner FFA) and Luke Moore (Colton FFA) were named 2016 U.S. Presidential Scholars – an honor granted to just 160 students nationwide. In addition, Alyssa is the recently elected 2016-17 Washington state FFA president and Luke is the 2016-17 Washington state FFA sentinel. Quite a year indeed!

This segment aired on the July 23, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Matt Brechwald introduces us to two members of the Strasburg FFA Chapter in Virginia. Nathan McDonald explains how he uses a skill learned from his grandfather for his woodworking SAE. Nathan harvests maple, cherry, walnut and cedar wood to make wooden writing pens that he sells or gives away. For her agricultural sales SAE, Ashley Yanego works at a local flower shop where she does everything from sweeping up flower stems to making arrangements. Ashley was a volunteer at the shop before she was hired.

This segment aired on the July 16, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

2015-16 National FFA Eastern Region Vice President Sydney Snider explains the WHAT, WHO, HOW and WHY of FFA Alumni. WHAT: FFA Alumni works to help FFA and agricultural education stay vital in local communities. WHO: Anyone (not just former FFA members) interested in supporting FFA, agricultural education and agriculture in general can join FFA Alumni. HOW: Contact the local FFA chapter advisor to find out how to get involved. WHY: FFA Alumni impacts FFA members across the nation.

This segment aired on the July 16, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Allie Ellis, education specialist with the National FFA Alumni Association, talks about the FFA Alumni Regional Development Conferences, which are free and open to anyone interested in supporting FFA and agricultural education. Taking place in Washington, Iowa, Ohio, Georgia, New York and Oklahoma, the conferences provide opportunities to share ideas on how to develop FFA Alumni at the local level.

This segment aired on the July 16, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Josh Rusk, executive director of the National FFA Alumni Association, explains some of the recent changes that have made it easier than ever to become an FFA Alumni member and to attend FFA Alumni conferences. FFA Alumni membership is open to everyone – even those who were not FFA members. Josh describes some of the countless opportunities for FFA Alumni members to use their time, talents and resources to support agricultural education, FFA and agriculture in general.

This segment aired on the July 9, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Funds from an FFA: Food For All grant made it possible for the South Rowan FFA Chapter in China Grove, N.C., to donate 2,900 pounds of fresh produce and 400 dozen eggs to help fight hunger in their local community. FFA advisor Laura Allen and FFA members Andrew Eller and Miranda Belk explain how they grew a garden and raised chickens on the school’s 13-acre land lab.

This segment aired on the July 9, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Lee Anne Shiller, division director for merchandise and membership services at the National FFA Organization, describes the Give the Gift of Blue campaign that has gifted 2,500 blue jackets to FFA members over the past two-plus years. For more information about the program – including how to make a donation and how to apply or submit a nomination – visit the “Give Blue” webpage.

This segment aired on the July 2, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Ed McCann has been the FFA advisor at Nelson County High School in Virginia for 38 years. During that time, Nelson County FFA members have achieved many accomplishments and the FFA chapter has enjoyed support from the school’s administration. Jacob, a three-year Nelson County FFA member who was just elected chapter treasurer, is the happy recipient of an unexpected gift – a blue corduroy jacket!

This segment aired on the July 2, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Dr. Jeff Comer, superintendent of the Nelson County School District in Virginia, says the Nelson County FFA Chapter is a source of pride for their community. He explains his role in making sure a Nelson County FFA member had his own blue corduroy FFA jacket. Dr. Comer salutes FFA advisors for their commitment of time and energy to help their students excel.

This segment aired on the July 2, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.